Unless you book a Universal Vacation package, you don't have to pay the entire balance when booking. Now whether or not you have to pay one night's deposit, is a different story. Different people have posted different things. For the most part, it seems that if you book online, most people are not charged the one night's deposit (we only place our CC# on file to hold the ressie - I just did this last month and haven't been charged yet). Others have found that if you book your ressie by phone, most people do get charged the one night's stay right away. Either way, the balance isn't due until you arrive (most people say at check-out). I hope I didn't confuse you!